Rancho Murieta spent Thursday bracing for a big winter storm that's forecast to arrive overnight.  The Rancho Murieta Association was offering sandbags for residents who've had problems with flooding in the past.

Working the register Thursday morning, Ace Hardware store owner Julie Davis said the popular storm items have been batteries, flashlights and pellets for heating.

"All winter these are our big sellers," Davis said.

At Plaza Foods, checker Jaclyn Avelallemant said while customers were buying batteries, their main focus seemed to be "buckling down" to get the grocery shopping done before the storm.

Ace Hardware owner Julie Davis helps customer Crystal Nobis with the purchase of some popular items, including batteries.

The RMA Maintenance Department announced Wednesday it would offer sandbags at the RMA parking lot Thursday in anticipation of the storm.

Residents are welcome to stop by and pick some up if they have concerns about flooding.

"We don't anticipate flooding in the streets or common areas," Maintenance Manager Rod Hart said Thursday.

The RMA's sandbags were awaiting takers Thursday morning.

In past storms, flooding has been been limited to homes with drainage problems -- "all localized stuff," said Hart. "We're just trying to be proactive. ... Chances are, if you haven't had flooding in the past, you won't have it now."

Hart said the department has been preparing for the storm by readying trucks, tree-cutting and other equipment and "sweeping (the streets) like a son-of-a-gun. That's the biggest reason we haven't had street flooding. ... We're ready to go if we need to."

At 9 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a high-wind warning -- with gusts up to 65 mph -- for the Sacramento area from 10 p.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday, with the bulk of the gusty winds after midnight.  There's a blizzard warning in the high country.

Sacramento's forecast calls for a chance of rain every day through Thursday.